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1.2 Definition of Volunteers
A "volunteer" is anyone who without compensation or expectation of compensation performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of SHS. A "volunteer" must be officially accepted and enrolled by SHS prior to performance of the task. Volunteers shall be considered a temporary, part-time, unpaid labor force that is an integral part of the SHS family. Volunteers shall augment services of the paid staff, not replace paid personnel or jobs.
1.3 Associates as Volunteers
SHS does accept the services of staff as volunteers. The service is accepted provided that the volunteer service is contributed without any coercion, involves work which is outside the scope of normal staff duties, and is provided outside of usual working hours. Staff members who volunteer shall follow the usual processes for volunteer placement, i.e. interviewing, training as appropriate. Family members of staff are allowed to volunteer with SHS.
1.3.a Behavioral Medicine Patients as Volunteers
Former and current Behavioral Medicine patients may be considered for volunteer service on an individual basis after assessing their well-being and the needs and safety of patients, their families and employees. Placement Guidelines include:
- at least one year into recovery for persons with a history of substance abuse
- at least one year past discharge for persons with a history of inpatient psychiatric care
- persons currently receiving outpatient Behavioral Medicine counseling are evaluated individually for placement
- written permission will be obtained from the prospective volunteer if consultation with their therapist is deemed necessary
1.4 Role of the Volunteer Services Department
The productive utilization of volunteers requires a planned and organized effort. The function of the SHS Volunteer Services department is to provide a central coordinating point for volunteer management within SHS, and to direct and assist staff and volunteer efforts to jointly plan and provide productive services. In partnership, the Volunteer Services Committee, the Women's Board, and the department Director shall bear primary responsibility for recruiting, placing, orienting, evaluating and recognizing volunteers. The department shall bear responsibility for tracking and evaluating the contribution of volunteers to SHS.
1.5 Maintenance of Volunteer Records
Confidential, current, individual records shall be maintained by the Volunteer Services department with the assistance of the Volunteer Services Committee's Recognition Chairman. Minimum information shall include name, address, telephone number, assignment(s), emergency contact numbers, orientation date, additional training and inservice attendance. Commendations and awards, performance problem resolution actions, as well as a yearly record of service hours will also be included. The record of a teen who is under the age of 18 shall also include parental permission forms.
It is the responsibility of the volunteer Presidents to report changes in their members' status and/or statistics on a monthly basis to the Volunteer Services department.
Individual volunteer records shall be accorded the same confidentiality as associates personnel records. Medical records related to volunteers (TB tests, etc.) will be maintained in the Occupational Health department.
When large groups of volunteers are recruited to work on community projects, individual records will not be kept.
1.6 Planning and Budgeting for Volunteer Services
The Director of Volunteer Services shall bear the primary responsibility for facilitating the planning process for SHS volunteer services on an annual basis. The Director shall also bear primary responsibility for developing and administering the operations and financial plan of the department.
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